Brad Fruchey will serve as president of the Bluffton school board in 2018. The board elected him during its reorganization meeting on Jan. 8. Also elected, as board vice president, was Wesley Klinger.
In addition to Fruchey and Klinger, board members are Ken Lugibihl, Brad Scoles and Renee Smith.
Ben Stahl, who was the fifth highest vote getter – the top four were seated on council - in the November Bluffton council election, is now a council member.
He was appointed to the council vacancy, which opened when council member Richard Johnson became mayor in late December.
His appointment follows a tradition by council of naming the next-in-line highest vote getter to fill a council vacancy. The previous council did not follow this tradition.
Bluffton school board reorganizes for a new year on Monday. Three re-elected board members will take the oath of office for another four years and several board appointments will follow.
The three re-elected board members are Brad Fruchey, Ken Lugibihl and Wes Klinger.
Among appointments are:
• Board president and vice-president
• Over a dozen standing authorizations affecting the treasurer and superintendent
• The 2018 meeting schedule
• Board representatives to various committees, delegates and liaisons
It’s a new year and Bluffton council meets in its new-yet-familiar look for the first time in 2018 on Monday.
Monday is Richard Johnson’s first official meeting as mayor. It is also the first meeting for new council members Jerry Cupples, Mitch Kingsley and David Steiner.
The Monday agenda is largely a reorganization session. Although not on the agenda, council has the option of selecting a council member to replace Johnson who became mayor at the resignation of Judy Augsburger at the final 2017 meeting.
A swearing in of Bluffton’s council winners from the Nov. 7 general election takes place at 10 a.m., Friday, Dec. 29, in the town hall, according to Laura Ewing, village fiscal officers.
Four council members who will begin their four-year terms are Jerry Cupples, Mitch Kingsley, David Steiner and Phill Talavinia.
Cupples, Kingsley and Steiner each served previously on council and are returning after a few years of absence. Talavinia already serves and was reelected to his seat.
